[The use of native triticale in poultry. 3. Use in laying hens]

In three trials with a total of 3240 white laying hybrids, 10 to 72% Triticale of the variety "Grado" was used as a substitute for maize and wheat. The feeding of Triticale had no influence on feed consumption, laying performance, feed efficiency, mortality or weight gain. In two of three trials the egg weight was lowered with an increasing amount of Triticale in the diet. After supplementation of 1 or 1.5% sunflower oil to the diets with 50 resp. 72% Triticale the egg weight increased again to the level of the control group. With the exception of one group, there was no correlation between breaking strength and deformation of the eggs. The colour intensity of the egg yolk was decreased with increasing amounts of Triticale in the diet. It can be concluded, that laying hen feed supplemented with oil may contain up to 50% Triticale, but in non-supplemented diets the highest amount of Triticale should be only 20% because of the risk of linoleic acid shortage.